Mindfulness is our capacity to bring kindhearted attention to whatever’s happening in the present moment. The familiar phrase, “take a deep breath” can be a reminder to stop and view the immediate experience from a kinder, wiser space. This experiential and interactive workshop offers tools to help you breathe more ease and presence into your body and your life, just as they are. We will:

Explore the connection between the breath and releasing tension and stress

Practice breathing exercises that calm the nervous system

Experience gentle, mindful movements designed to allow more space to breathe

Focus on the natural breath to improve concentration and nurture relaxation

Discuss simple self-care tools that can easily be practiced throughout the day.

Be prepared to sit, stand, move gently, and lie down, as we practice being present together. No special clothes needed – just dress comfortably.

Kirtan with Shyama is an invitation to gather and share the sweet devotional practice of Namakirtan: the call-and-response chanting of the Divine Names in the Yoga tradition. These names have been called “own true names.“ The practice of kirtan is a path into the beauty and loving awareness that is the essential nature of all beings. Everyone is welcome! Shyama Chapin has been singing her whole life. These days she loves most of all to chant the Divine Names and feels lucky and blessed to be able to center her days around this subtle and profound practice. Shyama leads kirtan in New York City and beyond, has been singing in Krishna Das’ Posse, both on-stage and on his recordings, for many years, and is featured in response vocals on many other friends’ chant recordings as well. Her own double album of chant music, Love’s Door, was released on Mantralogy Records.

Workshops with Nina Wise & Sybil Meyer give you the physical and spiritual tools to translate your inner life into theater. Everyone has a story to tell. But few of us have the opportunity to express ourselves freely in a safe and supportive environment. What makes these workshops unique is the emphasis on the integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Translate your life stories and daily experiences into performance art!

Create embodied, true, personal narratives in improvised solo, duet, and ensemble forms. Discover ways to move with abandon, create spontaneous stories out of your life events, and enjoy creative expression in partnership with others. Learn skills in speaking, moving, and sounding with ease, and confidence in performing. Classes are fun and profoundly meaningful.

Motion Theater® is a unique form of autobiographical improv developed by bay area performer Nina Wise.

The summer yoga retreat affords you 2 days away in the beautiful Sonoma countryside. A chance to decompress with hours of yoga, time for relaxation, delicious meals, swimming, hiking, all in the good company of others. Massage appts. are available too.

Yoga designed for full-bodied women in a community of support. An opportunity to begin or to deepen and expand your yoga practice, as well as enhance body, mind, and spirit’s integration. We will include asanas that strengthen the core body, develop balance, flexibility, and strength, and breathing practices to awaken presence, center, and ground. The last hour of the workshop is Restorative Yoga, relaxation, and meditation. We also address individual participants needs and desires for finding ease in their practice. Beginners are welcome.

Integrate mind, body, heart and spirit via a gentle Iyengar-based yoga and movement practice rooted in Jewish mystical teachings. The Passover holiday celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt and this story is meaningful for all beings. Experience, via an embodied practice, why the Jewish mystics believe that the places of constriction hold the key and secret to freedom.

In this workshop, we will enter into the tighter and less known places in the body with conscious awareness, loving-kindness, and compassion. We will move from these places of restriction/constriction to freedom on all levels of being, via yoga, movement, art, and writing.

No previous experience with yoga or knowledge about Passover is required. Please wear comfortable loosely layered clothing in which you can easily move.